MONACO v2: Multipurpose and Integrated Data Acquisition System for On-line Neutron and Gamma Measurements

Abstract

The CEA MONACO v2 a multichannel acquisition system dedicated to neutron and gamma measurements. It is unique as it integrates all the following features in one module: automatic generation of saturation curves, automatic generation of pulse discrimination curves, detector pulse characterization using the embedded oscilloscope module, pulse mode acquisitions in count rate or pulse height analysis, fluctuation mode and current mode acquisitions. Sensors are plugged to a single connector and the implemented operating modes run constantly in parallel. Firsly designed for on line local neutron and gamma measurements with gaseous detectors in reactor experiments, the MONACO v2 system will also be available for self-powered detectors thanks to its wide current mode working range. After two years of development, CEA teams tested two MONACO v2 prototypes in the Slovenian TRIGA Mark II research reactor in 2018, using CEA miniature ion chambers and SPNDs. The system is now ready for industrialization to be available on the nuclear instrumentation market.

Keywords

• neutron instrumentation
• neutron acquisition system
• gaseous detectors
• ion chamber
• fission chamber
• selfpowered neutron detectors
• spnd
• fpga
• research reactor